Man United eager to snap up in-form Southampton ace (not Mane)

The 30-year-old Italian has been terrific since his 2014 move to St Mary’s from Feyenoord, notching 18 goals (12 in his debut campaign and six so far this term) in league action.

And according to reports this form has alerted Louis van Gaal, whose United side have been slammed for a perceived ‘dull’ approach to their attacking play of late.

The Red Devils have also been heavily aligned with Pelle’s team-mate Sadio Mane, but with Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial currently LVG’s only genuine centre-forward options, the experienced marksman may be a better option than the Senegalese winger.

Should a deal go ahead the Azzurri star would become the second player this year to move from Southampton to the red half of Manchester, following Morgan Schneiderlin.